About
Open Ground is a unique visitor experience centred on locations that shaped Seamus Heaney's life and literature, including places from The Strand at Lough Beg to the Moyola River, which allows visitors the opportunity to discover the smells, sights and sounds that make his poetry so uniquely of this place.
Our Open Ground Guided tour experience allows you to journey through this landscape with the assistance of our knowledgeable team. You'll become acquainted with the same lanes, roads and paths that a young Seamus Heaney travelled on and through our informative guides, you'll hear how each of these five locations held such great significance for Seamus Heaney.
Through the explanation and information revealed by our guides at each point, you will discover how each of these places, so much a part of Seamus Heaney's formative years, influenced the rich legacy of his literature, with your guide sharing illuminating details and anecdotes around the significance, history and heritage of each unique site. You'll leave with a much deeper, richer understanding of Seamus Heaney's poetry and an appreciation for the nature and landscape which so inspired his works.
Planning your visit:
The tour leaves from the Seamus Heaney HomePlace foyer (at the Exhibition entrance). More information on the directions can be found here
Ticket includes price of admission to our 'Man & Boy' exhibition (last admission to 'Man & Boy is 4pm), or your exhibition ticket can be used on an alternative date any time within one calendar month of completion of your Open Ground Tour
The Open Ground tour lasts approximately 3 hours
Your own transport is required to travel from point to point and the guides will meet you at each site
As this is an outdoor event, please wear suitable clothing and footwear, appropriate for changing weather conditions
Booking in advance is essential due to limited places
Please note that due to logistical difficulties tours taking place between 9am and 5pm Monday to Saturday will not include a visit to the Alleyways of Magherafelt.
